Chapter 2:

January 18 2002

Shall I tell you how my day went? It was rather interesting...

"Angel, time to get up." My mother said brightly as she walked into my room and switched on the lights.

"It's your first day. Aren't you excited?"

"Yeah. But I'm scared too." I replied

"Nozomi, this is a new beginning, just be yourself." She had said with a bright smile. My mother's smile always seemed to brighten me up, like the sun peeking through the clouds on a stormy day.

After she had left my room I rushed about, tossing my clothes this way and that, until I came upon my uniform, which just happened to be the BOYS uniform, I find that I don't look good in a bow tie and skirt. YUCK. After forcing down a few mouthfuls of kimchee and rice I put on my jacket then hugged my mother goodbye. I snuggled into her embrace, not wanting to leave. She gently pulled away and handed me my book bag. Then, cupping my face in her hands. She looked into my eyes and told me that she would always be there for me and that no matter what she loved me with all her heart.

"There's the bus, go on now." she gently pushed me out the door and gave a wave.

Ryou paused a moment then reread the date. It was the day that him and Nozomi had met. He smiled to himself as he remembered that gloomy day. "Why are you smiling Ryou...and what are you reading?" Bakura said as he appeared in the room

Ryou turned his glazed eyes to his yami and flashed him the diary.

"It was Nozomi's...want to read with me?" Bakura smiled as he sat beside his light. "Sure, maybe she wrote about me beating the snot out of you!" Ryou ignored the comment and began to read aloud.

I jumped on the bus and spotted an empty seat right away. I dashed for it, hopping I would be the only one occupying it. Most of the kids went to the back anyways. On the way to school I just worked on my poem. I have been writing it for two years now; I'm trying to improve it. Then the bus came to a stop, in front of a rather flashy school. DOMINO JR. HIGH. Or in other words, middle school. They just add the JR HIGH to make the students feel more grown up.

I was minding my own business, walking to my first class when I saw a rather poor puppy getting picked on by a bunch of heartless students. Any normal kid that didn't want to make enemies and wanted to fit in would have walked away. But you see, I'm not normal...I'm Nozomi! BWHAHAHA...

A bunch of rather large kids stood around the small fluffy dog...but it wasn't a dog...it was a BOY! He had snowy white hair and was curled up into a ball.

"We're going to kill you!" The kids chanted as they danced around him. They grabbed his hands and feet and began to drag him away behind the building. I of course ran after them, hoping I could stop any killing of the sort. When I reached their new location they were kicking and spitting on the poor kid.

Ryou stopped reading and pushed the book away. "I can't read this...it hurts..." He handed the book to Bakura and turned away. Bakura stared down at it with curious eyes.

"Come on Ryou, please continue, it was getting really good..."

Ryou shot his Yami a heated glance then shoved his head into his pillow.

"Then you read it!" Bakura pulled the pillow out from under Ryou's head and slapped him on the head.

"Idiot! You know I can't read Japanese." Ryou shot up and glared at Bakura.

"Don't hit me!"

Bakura blinked in surprise then smiled. "Looks like Nozomi was able to change at least one thing about you."

He handed Ryou the diary then nodded his head. "Continue Ryou, I'm sure it will help ease the pain."

Ryou looked down at the diary and began to shake. He reached a hand out to grasp the book.

It hurt; he remembered that day, like it was yesterday.

He had been frightened. Being killed held the promise of relief to him. Lying on the pavement, curled up in a ball, listening to them laughing, all he could think of was how he was going to explain what happened, to his father. His jacket and pants were torn, his snowy white hair full of gravel and spit, his arms scratched and bruised.

"Ryou, you can do it..." He heard Bakura say gently. Ryou's fingers closed around the book.

"Alright, Bakura...I'll read the rest to you..."

I did the first thing that came to mind. I ran after the biggest kid there. Which wasn't really that big.

"Hey! Knock it off! Stop picking on him!" I yelled. I got a good punch in and shoved the kid. He ended up stumbling backwards and tripping over a stone bench.

The others, witnessing what I did to there friend, ran off. I turned my attention to the small boy that I had mistaken for a white fluffy puppy earlier. He still sat in the fetal position, rocking back and forth until the bell rang. He sat up and opened his eyes, revealing a light shade of brown. I thought him cute and adorable...like, stuffed animal cute. He had a pale face (Not sure if it was from his beating or if that was his natural color) and a long slender nose. His hair spiked around his face and fell into his ember eyes, giving him a rather soft and girly look.

He slowly got to his feet and looked around puzzled.

"Did...Did they leave?" he asked amazed. It was my turn to be puzzled, wasn't he paying attention at all?

"Um...yes, I scared them off..." I said, regarding him with my pale blue eyes. His eyes stared into mine and I could tell this was normal for him.

"Thank you." He stammered. I felt out of place right then and there, watching him trying to cover his scratches and bruises.

"Do you need to go to the bathroom?" I asked, trying to break the ice. He looked up at me once again with puzzled eyes, as if he had forgotten I was there.

"Yes...please..."

I gave him the warmest smile I could muster then reached my arm out to him. "I'm Nozomi Haru...I'm new here." He blinked about a thousand times then smiled.

"Your a girl right?" I looked down at my clothes and smiled. "Yes, I'm a girl...come on, lets get you cleaned up."

And that's where I end today, nothing else really happened. The boy gave me a warm thank you, and then ran off to reach his next class. So until later my mystery reader.

-Nozomi

"See, that wasn't so bad." Bakura said while standing. Ryou closed the book and placed it back into the black box.

"Maybe not for you...but then again, you used to beat me for pleasure."

Bakura grinned evilly then returned to the ring. Ryou sighed and placed the box under his bed.

"I'll read more...after school..." and with that, he prepared for a day of pity from his friends.

Sorry it's kind of short...but spring break is here and I want to get out of this house soooo bad! I have a life too you know!